iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI), which comprises large-, mid- and small-capitalization equities across emerging market countries. The fund provides diversified exposure to over 2,700 holdings in sectors including information technology, financials, consumer discretionary, communication services, and materials; top holdings feature Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (10.09%), Tencent Holdings Limited (4.29%), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (3.00%), Alibaba Group Holding Limited (2.87%), and SK hynix Inc. (1.81%). It offers investors broad access to emerging markets such as China, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, with an expense ratio of 0.09% and assets under management exceeding $118 billion.
Launched on October 18, 2012, and issued by BlackRock, Inc. under the iShares brand, IEMG is domiciled in the United States with primary listing on NYSE Arca. The ETF targets institutional and retail investors seeking cost-effective emerging markets equity exposure, including those building core portfolio allocations or diversifying beyond developed markets.
In recent developments, BlackRock substituted IEMG with alternative emerging markets ETFs like XEC in certain core asset allocation portfolios, including the iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW), to minimize foreign withholding taxes on dividends. The fund continues to attract substantial institutional ownership, with over 2,100 holders including Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan Chase & Co., reflecting sustained demand amid 2025 market inflows into emerging market ETFs. IEMG declared a semi-annual distribution of $0.7097 per share and maintains a trailing yield around 2.85% as of late 2025, supporting its role in income-oriented strategies.